CM: Our colleague Nick Duxson is on holidays this week, but it has opened the door for Noradjuha-Quantong netball superstar Sarah Scully's first Kick-to-Kick appearance of the year. Welcome Sarah.

SS: Superstar is more than a slight exaggeration, but thanks! The Quanny netballers had a tough day on the court at Natimuk, although C Grade was happy to scrape through with a three-goal win. I managed to catch most of the last half of the senior footy and it was great to see our boys get over the Rams in convincing fashion. Hopefully they appreciated the netballers' small but vocal cheersquad. Was Pimpinio graced with your presence on Saturday?

CM: Unfortunately, no. I was at the MCG watching Hawthorn beat Collingwood for the sixth consecutive time. I was there with fellow journo and rabid Pies supporter Matt Coughlan, who seemed to slump a little lower in his seat with every Hawthorn goal. So a good day all round. Plenty to talk about in Wimmera footy as well. It's going to be a long road back to the top five for Dimboola after their loss to Minyip-Murtoa, and with games against Horsham and Warrack Eagles to come. What are your thoughts on the Roos?

SS: I love how close the Wimmera competition is this year, it's much more exciting than it has been in the past few years. Who would've thought the reigning premier would find itself in this position? I agree it's a long road back to the top five and I can't see them beating Horsham or Warrack at this stage. The Eagles enjoyed another strong win at the weekend over Nhill, which was to be expected. Did any of the district league results surprise you?

CM: It wasn't a result so much as a margin that surprised me. It is clear Harrow-Balmoral has a lot of work left ahead of it after the team suffered its second big loss to Laharum in a span of only a few weeks. The Roos are third on the ladder, but lower-ranked sides Kalkee and Edenhope-Apsley have both had more success against the Mountain Men this year.

The team is going to need a big lift if it wants to challenge for the premiership this year. The Bombers' win over Natimuk United was a rare piece of good news for the senior footy team, which has been struck by injuries and performed below expectations. How is the second week of the Wimmera league split round shaping up? Can Horsham Saints mount a challenge and knock off Horsham like they did in last year's preliminary final?

SS: Sure, why not. I haven't actually seen much Wimmera footy since making the move to district league this year, so I'm certainly no expert. I'm relying on Nick's reviews and feedback from players in social situations to determine my opinions of the season. I don't think it's out of the equation. Horsham was too strong under lights earlier in the year but could have won by more. However Saints have improved since then. Being a Stawell girl I'm also interested in the outcome between the Warriors and Ararat at the weekend. With Nick away it'll give me a chance to catch up with some of the coaches and see where they're at. Thanks for inviting me to fill in for Nick for the kick-to-kick column. I hope you've got someone else in mind for Friday's online edition!

CM: I think Matt Coughlan could be in line for a Kick-to-Kick video call-up, so I'll be sure to rib him some more about the Pies losing!